You have likely heard of surgeons, athletes, and celebrities touting the benefits of lymphatic massage. What is it exactly and is it right for you? Let’s first take a look at the body’s lymphatic system in the simplest of terms to better understand the benefits of lymphatic massage.

The Lymph System

Our lymph system picks up fluids and waste products from the spaces between the cells and then filters and cleans them. Like the roots of a tree, the lymph system starts as tiny vessels—only a single-cell wide—that eventually branch into larger and larger tubes that carry these fluids back to the blood stream.

This network of delicate vessels and lymph nodes is the primary structure of the immune system. The lymph nodes act as check points along the pathways of the vessels. They filter the fluid (called lymph) and serve as the home for lymphocytes—little cells that attack and destroy foreign bacteria and viruses and even abnormal cells, like cancer cells.

Benefits of Lymphatic Massage

Lymphatic massage may help the lymph system do its job better. By using very light pressure in a rhythmic, circular motion, a massage therapist can stimulate the lymph system to work more efficiently. Massage therapists versed in lymphatic drainage therapy, an advanced form of lymphatic massage, can identify the rhythm, direction, and quality of the lymphatic flow and remap drainage pathways.

Lymph massage can benefit just about everyone. If you’re feeling tired and low on energy, or if you’ve been sick and feeling like your body is fighting to get back on track, lymph massage would likely serve you well.

In addition, athletes, surgical patients, and fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue sufferers may want to consider lymphatic massage. Because it’s so gentle, it is well tolerated by these patients who are often experiencing sore trigger points throughout the body. By encouraging lymph flow, this gentle form of bodywork can help restore immune function and improve vitality.